The Chappaqua Central School District is a nationally renowned, suburban public school system characterized by highly motivated students, a broadly educated and talented staff, and an actively involved parent community.

Representatives of the Chappaqua PTA, school PTAs, building administrators, faculty, and other interested citizens.

President Visser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of a legal issue. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 7:45 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn the Executive Session and reconvene public session. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Pledge of Allegiance - Vice President Alyson Gardner

President Visser noted the absence of District Clerk Theresa Markley and requested a motion to appoint Vice President Alyson Gardner as District Clerk Pro Temp. Jeffrey Mester so moved and Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Visser thanked everyone for coming and asked Dr. McKay to present her budget.

Dr. McKay outlined the dates and topics for the next several board meetings that will culminate with adoption of the budget on April 15. Last month we presented a roll over budget and tonight we will discuss the new proposed budget for the coming year. We have a multi-year budget that we discuss with our administrators all year. She noted the Strategic Questions, the Four Pillars around class size, program, staffing, and infrastructure. Then she discussed in general the Operating Standards. She detailed some of the plans, courses, and opportunities for teachers to learn more about technology, use of iLabs, space, and an increased emphasis on literacy across all classes k-12. There is an increase in capital projects such as a ramp needed at Bell for ADA compliance and moving the security desk. She asked John Chow to go over what we do know.

John Chow noted the slight enrollment decline across all schools; the Employee Retirement System; Assessment Growth Factor that is a decrease; Debt Service that is existing debt; Health Insurance Premiums second year of 1.5%; and Equilization Rates that will not have impact on budget but will have impact on tax rates. He then went over the list of items that we do not know about as yet: Teachers Retirement System (TRS), CPI for Tax Cap Calculations, State Aid, Tax Cap Number, Contracts for All Staff, Transportation Costs, Special Education Placements, Assessed Tax Valuations, Tax Certiorari Settlements. We are proposing a budget of $117,901,688 an increase of $1,044,700 or .89%. He discussed past eight budgets with a summary of increases. Chappaqua is fourteenth in per pupil costs among the 46 component school districts in Putnam and Westchester counties. Eric Byrne noted that student performance in assessment testing is third overall in New York state. John reviewed expenses and the projected numbers in salaries and benefits. Both TRS and ERS pensions decreased in percentage. Some of the items will be discussed in detail at future board meeting presentations.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Turf status

Jeffrey Mester reported that the Turf Committee met with the Board in a public meeting on December 18, 2014. (Minutes on website.) Of the $2 million needed, the Turf Committee indicated that it could only raise $1.4 million. They suggested the district use the State Aid on the project, that is the district pay the $600,000 that they were unable to raise. Administrators and the district's attorney had pointed out at that this would be illegal. In addition, the expired agreement with the Turf Committee stated that we would accept a gift of a turf field, but we would not use district funds for that purpose. At the December meeting the Turf Committee offered to get back to the Board with other fund raising possibilities. To date, we have not heard back. The district has been reimbursed for all past tests and work, but we have not be paid for the final work needed to obtain DEP approval. The DEP has worked with our engineers, Woodard & Curran and have given verbal approval if we meet certain requirements. We have been advised by counsel that a public discussion need occur as to the next step in the event that the Turf Committee does not fund final engineering work needed for written DEP approval. It is the recommendation of the Facilities Committee that the entire Board consider spending the necessary funds, approximately $88,000, in the event the Turf Committee will not. For consideration is that the approvals from all the bodies that require sign off would be an asset to the district that can be used in the event either a donation is made or the field is funded in some other manner. A decision was made to hold off on the discussion until we have an answer from the Turf Committee as to whether they are able or willing to fund it or even if they are capable of meeting their fundraising goal. If the answer is no, at that point, the board can have a discussion on whether or not to spend district funds for the final work needed to obtain approval from the DEP.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

2015 - Going forward

Dr. McKay announced we are thrilled that Andrew Selesnick will be the new Superinendent at Katonah-Lewisboro. He is a man of great integrity and extraordinarily talented and we are going to miss him. We are happy for you, but we will miss you.

1.2.2

Science Research Awards

Dr. McKay announced that seven students in Greeley's science research took home medals in the 2015 Rockland Westchester Symposium on February 7 and will compete on March 7 in the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair and at the State Symposium in Albany.

1.2.3

Athletes Celebrate

The Superintendent also reported that she had the privilege to be present when the Boosters celebrated nine of our athletes.

1.2.4

Musicals!

Dr. McKay reported on the three school-supported musicals. Over 350 talented students are involved.

2.

Organization

3.

Approvals

3.1

Warren Messner moved to approve the Minutes of January 14, 2015. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Dr. McKay made the following recommendations:

4.1

Instructional

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as per diem substitute teachers to be employed on an "as needed" basis":

Eileen Kelly, Alexander Marrero, and Madelyn Pollack.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the attached Agreement for Service for the individual listed below effective for the 2014/2015 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Tara Rutman.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the attached Agreement for Service for the individual listed below effective March 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

"Resolved, that the Board of Education authorizes its attorneys, Shaw, Perelson, May, and Lambert, LLP to execute a Consent Judgment in a tax certiorari proceeding captioned 643 King Street, LLC by PG Meadow LLC/PG Meadow LLC v. Town of New Castle and the Chappaqua CCSD;

And it is further resolved, that the Board authorizes the refund of taxes as required by the terms of the Consent Judgment."

"Whereas, the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District is planning a tennis court repair and phase three of gymnasium roof replacement project and a Cafeteria renovation project at Horace Greeley High School (the "Proposed Project"); and

Whereas, the Board of Education wishes to comply with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and

Whereas, the Board of Education has reviewed the components, phases and aspects of the Proposed Project; and

Whereas, the Board of Education has reviewed the Proposed Project with respect to the Type II criteria set forth in the SEQRA Regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 and has determined that the Proposed Project is a Type II Action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District is hereby designated lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the Proposed Project; and

Be it further resolved, that the Board of Education hereby determines that the Proposed Project is a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment and that no further review of the Proposed Project is required."

617.5(c)(2) states:
"replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, in kind, on the same site, including upgrading buildings to meet building or fire codes, unless such action meets or exceeds any of the thresholds in section 617.4 of this Part;"

617.5(c)(8) states
"routine activities of educational institutions, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area and school closings, but not changes in use related to such closings;"

"Whereas, the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District is planning an ADA compliance entrance to the Auditorium and the creation of a permanent security desk project at Robert Bell Middle School (the "Proposed Project"); and

Whereas, the Board of Education wishes to comply with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and

Whereas, the Board of Education has reviewed the components, phases and aspects of the Proposed Project; and

Whereas, the Board of Education has reviewed the Proposed Project with respect to the Type II criteria set forth in the SEQRA Regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 and has determined that the Proposed Project is a Type II Action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District is hereby designated lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the Proposed Project; and

Be it further resolved, that the Board of Education hereby determines that the Proposed Project is a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment and that no further review of the Proposed Project is required."

(SEQRA Regulations cited - listed above in previous resolution)

Addendum item:

5.5

Victoria Tipp moved to approve a gift from Chappaqua School Foundation of $6,587.00 for the attached three InstaGrants approved for Bell and Horace Greeley Schools. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

Jeffrey reported on the status of the Zauderer property. We support the conventional plan that affects only one house that is abutted against Gary Drive and we feel this would sell for a higher price. The impact on the value of the neighbor's homes is also considered. Members of the community will have the opportunity to comment at the Planning Board meeting or write to them.